Arlington, VA → Des Moines, IA · Long-distance move
About 1,049 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,700–$6,990, delivery in 3–7 days, 1,290 carriers on the Arlington side and 191 in Des Moines.
The route from Arlington, VA to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 1,049 miles by road, a west-bound trip that falls into the long-distance move category for pricing purposes.
At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $4,700 to $6,990 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 18 h 47 min.
On the Arlington side there are 1,290 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (809 of them authorized for interstate work), and 191 around Des Moines (116 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Des Moines.
Arlington has a population of about 240,000 and Des Moines about 212,086. Arlington is considerably denser (9,180 people per square mile versus 2,428), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in Virginia, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,880 | $2,290 | $2,800 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,820 | $3,440 | $4,190 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $4,700 | $5,730 | $6,990 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $7,510 | $9,160 | $11,180 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $10,330 | $12,600 | $15,370 |
$1,530–$2,160
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,960–$2,880
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$4,700–$6,990
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Arlington, VA → Des Moines, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Ritter Transport INC
Legal name: Geva Transportation LLC
Legal name: Michael Dancy
Legal name: Standard Forwarding LLC
Legal name: Jacobson Transportation Company INC
Legal name: Nationwide Truck Brokers INC
Legal name: Arona Corporation
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,880 to $2,800 for a studio, $2,820 to $4,190 for a one-bedroom, $4,700 to $6,990 for a two-bedroom, $7,510 to $11,180 for a three-bedroom and $10,330 to $15,370 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,049 road miles (889 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 18 h 47 min.
Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.
Yes. Crossing from Virginia into Iowa makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,530 to $2,160 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,960 to $2,880. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.
Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Arlington–Des Moines corridor.